Addressing the media on Tuesday, Slater said he was very close to proving his fitness for the season opener in Perth and had always been confident he would be ready to go for Saturday despite his recent history of shoulder injuries.

“I was close to playing Round 1 so I was pretty sure I’d be right for this Saturday night at AAMI Park,” Slater said.

In some ways it makes reaching the milestone all the more special, with Slater able to salute his loyal home faithful.

His return will trigger a switch in the halves with Munster likely to pair young No.7 Brodie Croft as the Storm’s new-look spine belatedly runs out for its first game together.

While Munster filled Slater’s shoes superbly against the Bulldogs, Craig Bellamy said he “couldn’t imagine a better fullback than Billy Slater”.